Wes-on !

[GAME 3 - LA 9, NYM 6]

With Bill Singer (4-10) and Charlie Williams () on the hill the Shea faithful came expecting to see a bit more offense than they were treated to in the first two contests. LA scored immediately in the first when Wes Parker singled home Willie Davis (5-5 with 3 runs scored) to break the ice. In the bottom of the inning the Mets almost batted around. Sending 8 batters to the plate they plated 5 runs and almost chased Singer from the hill. Bud Harrelson led of with a clean single, which was followed by Singer plunking rookie Mike Jorgenson. Art Shamsky lined out to Richie Allen in left for the first out was followed by Steady Eddie Kranepool who singled to right to score Buddy. Singleton K'd on 4 pitches and it looked as if Singer was going to get away with minimal damage. WRONG...if you've been watching Singer all year long like I have you'll know that he's very capable of blowing it. Ken Boswell hit a crippled fastball to dead center to score Jorgy for the second run and Bob Aspromonte hit on into the upper deck about 2 rows below where Tommy Agee hit his shot in June of '69. Just like that the Mets were up 5-1.

Thankfully for the Dodgers Charlie Williams was on the hill and not one of their big 3. With that

said, WIlliams began to look like Seaver and the score remained the same until the top of the 7th when the dam burst on Williams and the Dodgers scored 5 big runs to take a 1 run lead. Richie Allen hit a huge 1 out bases clearing double in an inning where LA finally flexed it's offensive muscles. Williams, who gave up 12 hits in the contest, survived the inning but not the game. One thing we can all say about this 1971 Mets team is that they never say die. The core of this team is almost exactly the same as the core that provided the world with miracles back in 1969...just 2 short years ago. Kenny Singleton, who was valued prospect in Triple A Tidewater that year (1969) wanted to join the fun here and provide some sort of miracle of his own. Singleton, who is a hometown boy (born and raised in Manhattan), led off the 8th with a Solo shot off of Singer to tie the game at 6. At this point the Dodger faithful, sitting 3,000 miles away and listening to Vin Scully over KTLA must have died a thousand deaths. If the Dodgers blew this game they would fall to .500 and even more importantly fall hopeless behind the hated Giants in the NL West. Ron Taylor came on in relief of Williams to start the 8th and set the Dodgers down in order. The top of the 9th was going to be a different story for him. Taylor, who was so magical just 2 years earlier, has been less than ordinary this season. Willie Davis led off the top of the 9th with his 5th hit of the day. Richie Allen doubled off the 410 sign in dead center to put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Wes Parker stepped up and hit one deep over the back of the Mets' bullpen in right field and into the parking lot for a tape measure 3 run shot. Jim Brewer came on to pitch a troublesome, but scoreless 9th. The Mets had runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out before Brewer settled down to fan Shamsky and Clendenon, who was sent up to bat for Kranepool.